Opening Act: Balmer, Hon

Opening Act: Balmer, Hon

Opening Act: Balmer, Hon

BALTIMORE, MD - FEBRUARY 03: In the light of a Baltimore City police helicopter light, employees of Mother's Federal Hill Grille celebrate as Baltimore Ravens cheer in the streets after Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers in the neighborhood of Federal Hill on February 3, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

I'm just glad we're not spending today debating whether a freak power outage cost the Ravens the Super Bowl. We have more than enough conspiracy theories to wind out already.

The group’s plans, which were outlined for the first time last week in an interview with [Stephen J.] Law, call for hard-edge campaign tactics, including television advertising, against candidates whom party leaders see as unelectable and a drag on the efforts to win the Senate. Mr. Law cited Iowa as an example and said Republicans could no longer be squeamish about intervening in primary fights.

“We’re concerned about Steve King’s Todd Akin problem,” Mr. Law said. “This is an example of candidate discipline and how it would play in a general election. All of the things he’s said are going to be hung around his neck.”

Senate Republicans on Friday pledged to block President Barack Obama's choice to lead the consumer finance watchdog until Democrats agree to restructure it, ramping up an expected fight this year over the controversial new bureau.

Sen. Johanns, who took Chuck Hagel's seat, says he'll back the nominee. For all the gunpowder and flash, there really is a shrinking path toward blocking the nomination.

Shock story of the day: Friends of the Romney family say that people in Massachusetts want a Romney to run for Senate. They might also want rich people to pay them consulting fees. Or they're being totally earnest!

The president's aides dare people to photoshop the skeet shooting president, and the people oblige.